Expressing Gratitude the Old Fashioned Way

Stephen Hopson is guest blogging for Phil today.

Can you think of all the people in your life that helped you, especially when you were experiencing adversity or when you were at a crossroad of sorts?

Was it……

• a teacher who said the right thing at the right time?
• the person who wrote a glowing recommendation letter?
• mentors who appeared at just the right time?
• the gatekeeper who put your important phone call through?
• a friend who consoled you through a painful time?
• a stranger who did you an extraordinary act of kindness?
• someone who opened the door for you, leading to incredible opportunities?
• the minister who listened to you for hours?
• family members who’ve supported you with love and encouragement?
• your boss who backed you up in the midst a major corporate crisis?

Why not become extraordinary, stand out from the crowd and send these people handwritten notes, thanking them for something they did for you? It will cause a few raised eyebrows, guaranteed.

You say you already sent them an email thanking them? Well, that’s nice but it doesn’t really count.  I’m not saying email should never be used to thank people. In fact, we’ve all done it and we will continue to do it. It’s too easy not to.

Yes, you’re very busy. It takes time to write notes. In fact, it just might make your hand hurt since you’re probably so used to typing on a keyboard or dictating into a machine these days! 

But, if you think about it, the people who helped you were also busy; yet they found the time to guide you, listen to you, write a letter on your behalf, etc.  Imagine the ripple effect your handwritten card would have on them. It would mean so much because they know you’re a busy person. Wouldn’t you agree?

Here are some rules I go by when I want my thank you’s to really count:

• substitute handwritten notes in place of email for significant deeds
• use blank cards (not the preprinted ones)
• insert your business card with a photo on it (they’ll love it!)
• send a card to each family member and watch their eyebrows go up-they’ll never expect it
• keep it short and sweet-don’t blubber your eyes out and cause the ink to run amok
• it’s never too late to send a thank you card

When you get into the habit of expressing gratitude in a heartfelt way, you subconsciously attract more of what you thanked them for. You bring into your life more people who will help you, especially in times of adversity. More importantly, you become more apt to give back and help others, allowing the universal cycle of giving and receiving to continue unfettered.

Food for thought: Imagine you are going to spend a lot of time with one of two people.  One person unexpectedly sent you a personal note of thanks. The other did not. They are both of equal background, similar personalities, etc. Which one would you choose to spend time with?

Stephen J. Hopson is a former award-winning Wall Street stockbroker turned motivational speaker, author and the first deaf pilot in the world (yes, you read that right) to earn an instrument rating in 2006.  This is a rating that allows him to fly as pilot in command through "bad" weather where radio use is actually required.  He recently moved his "Adversity University" blog from Blogger to Wordpress at www.adversityuniversityblog.com     If you'd like to see him in action as a speaker, you could visit his professional speaking website at www.sjhopson.com

Comments

[Debra Estep]

I LOVE this message !!

Powerful indeed is a written message
in this time of electronic communication.

5 years ago this month my son entered
the Air Force. More than once during
his time of basic training he would say...
"keep those letters coming"

In the past several weeks my Mom
had been hospitalized. During the
end of her 6 week stay, she was in
a rehab area. Dozens of my online
friends and also family sent her cards.
Repeatedly she would tell me...
"I was the only one on the floor who
had any mail today".
Snail mail was beyond a doubt as good
as the medicine she was receiving.

Thank you Stephen for this guest blog
on Phil's site....

Ummmmm what's your mailing address ???

~Smile~

Deb Estep

[Stephen Hopson]

Deb:

Your comment brought a smile to my face. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed today's article. My mailing address can be found at my professional speaking website which is at www.sjhopson.com

Snail mail is definitely as good as the medicine doctors prescribes these days. There is something to be said for those who take the time to write a simple note.

I have a stack of thank you cards right next to my desk, ready to go at any time I want to thank someone for something they did for me. It never fails to surprise the receipients. And that always makes my day.

Stephen

[Eric Peterson]

Stephen,

Great post. Thank you for sharing. You really dealt me an "eyeopener" this morning. I've always felt I expressed gratitude towards others rather well; through phone calls, emails, gifts, etc. But, a handwritten note! That would be much more heartfelt (even if my handwriting is sloppy). Thank you again.

Also, thank you Phil for having Stephen as a guest blogger

[Stephen Hopson]

Eric:

Your feedback on the value of expressing gratitude the good ole way was greatly appreciated! I'm glad it served as an "eye-opener" for you this morning. :)

Stephen